APCEDI Alert SP/FJ 05P Daman #10-2008: Cyclone Daman Winds Down to a Tropical Depression East of Fiji's Central Lau Group.

The RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre, the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre continue to issue guidance on former Cyclone Daman that has now wond down to Tropical Depression east of Fiji's Central Lau Group.

The remnants of Cyclone Daman are located near about 80 kilometres east-southeast of Lakeba or 100 kilometres east-northeast of Kabara in the Lau Group at 6PM this evening Fiji time. These remnants are moving southwest at 8 km/hr, and should continue to dissipate tomorrow. The current forecast map shows the remnants of Daman slowly drifting and dissipating around the Central and South Lau Group.

All cyclone alerts have been discontinued for all areas in Fiji and Tonga. This will be the last APCEDI alert for this system.

EFFECTS ON FIJI

CIKOBIA
Cikobia, true to its reputation as Fiji's "cyclone magnet", received a direct hit Friday night into Saturday morning, and sustained considerable damage with most crops destroyed, trees down, extensive coastal erosion, and many houses flattened or sustaining serious damaged according to police and news reports. Police have reported 17 houses destroyed or seriously damaged, and a further 13 dwellings deroofed. The only communication remaining is through police radio. As has happened in all recent past cyclones (Kina in 1993, Gavin in 1997 and Ami in 2003), the island's residents safely weathered the storm in the strong cyclone-proof community halls near Vunuka and Nalele villages. Some reports from the west side of the island note some people also sheltered in caves. There have been no reports of serious injuries. A survey team left for there this afternoon.

NORTHEAST VANUA LEVU
On Friday many low-lying areas around Labasa, northeast Vanua Levu, Buca Bay and the Natewa Peninsula were evacuated. Many of these areas reported very heavy rain and squalls, along with coastal flooding, but no major damage or injuries have been reported. Most evacuees have now returned home by Saturday afternoon. Some localised damage to few houses, crops and trees has been reported from Vanua Levu's far northeast Udu Peninsula and Natewa Peninsula and from Taveuni. Several roads in northeast Vanua Levu and Taveuni are still blocked by fallen trees and branches, but will likely be cleared shortly.


ALERTS AND WARNINGS


FIJI

A STRONG WIND WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN LAU GROUP.


TONGA

STRONG WIND WARNING AND DAMAGING SWELLS REMAIN IN FORCE FOR ALL TONGA WATERS

______________________

From the RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre
Special Weather Bulletin Number THIRTY-FOUR for Fiji ON TROPICAL DEPRESSION FORMERLY TROPICAL CYCLONE DAMAN ISSUED FROM RSMC NADI at 7:32pm on Sunday the 9th of December 2007

THE TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING PREVIOUSLY IN FORCE FOR ONEATA, MOCE, KOMO, AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS IS NOW CANCELLED.

A STRONG WIND WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN LAU GROUP.

A TROPICAL DEPRESSION, FORMERLY TROPICAL CYCLONE DAMAN CENTRE 997HPA, WAS LOCATED NEAR 18 DECIMAL 5 SOUTH 178 DECIMAL 1 WEST OR ABOUT 80 KILOMETRES TO THE EAST-SOUTHEAST OF LAKEBA OR 100 KILOMETRES EAST-NORTHEAST OF KABARA AT 6PM TODAY. THE DEPRESSION IS WEAKENING AND MOVING SOUTH-SOUTHWEST AT 08 KM/HR.

FOR CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN LAU, EXPECT WINDS OF AVERAGE SPEEDS OF 35 TO 60 KM/HR WITH GUSTS TO 85 KM/HR. OCCASIONAL SHOWERS AND A FEW SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS. VERY ROUGH SEAS. HEAVY SWELLS SLOWLY ABATING.

FOR THE REST OF FIJI, FINE WEATHER EXCEPT FOR A FEW AFTERNOON AND EVENING SHOWERS WITH A FEW THUNDERSTORMS ESPECIALLY ABOUT THE MAIN ISLANDS. MODERATE WINDS FROM SOUTHEAST TO NORTH, FRESH AND GUSTY AT TIMES. MODERATE TO ROUGH SEAS. MODERATE TO HEAVY SWELLS SLOWLY ABATING.

FOR ROTUMA, LIGHT TO MODERATE NORTH TO NORTHWEST WINDS. CLOUDY PERIODS WITH SOME SHOWERS. SLIGHT TO MODERATE SEAS.

The following information is provided especially for the mariners: FOR SOUTHERN LAU, SOUTHERN KORO SEA AND KADAVU PASSAGE:EXPECT WINDS OF 25 TO 30 KNOTS. VERY ROUGH SEAS. HEAVY SWELLS SLOWLY ABATING.

FOR THE REST OF FIJI WATERS:
WINDS FROM SOUTHEAST TO NORTH 15 KNOTS. MODERATE SEAS. MODERATE TO HEAVY SWELLS, GRADUALLY ABATING.

THIS IS THE FINAL SPECIAL WEATHER BULLETIN FOR FIJI ON FORMER TC DAMAN AND THE NEXT MARINE FORECAST BULLETIN WILL BE THE ROUTINE MARINE BULLETIN AT 1.30AM TOMORROW WHILE THE NEXT PUBLIC FORECAST WILL BE THE ROUTINE PUBLIC BULLETIN AT 5.30AM TOMORROW.

___________________________________________________________


Kevin Vang
APCEDI Coordinator
http://www.afap.org/apcedi/

To donate to AFAP's Disaster Preparedness, Relief and Rehabilitation Programs in Asia and the Pacific, go to http://www.afap.org and click on the "Donate On-Line" icon in the top right-hand corner.

To sign up for AFAP's free APCEDI email service, please go to http://www.afap.org/apcedi/ and register your email address.

APCEDI Alert SP/FJ 05P Daman #9-2008: Cyclone Daman Moving between Fiji's Lau Group and Tonga.

The RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre, the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre continue to issue guidance on Cyclone Daman that is currently moving between Fiji's Lau Group and the Central Tongan Islands.

The centre of Cyclone Daman is located near about 140 kilometres northeast of Lakeba or 215 kilometres north-northeast of Kabara in the Lau Group at 10PM this evening Fiji time.

Daman is moving to the southeast at 15 km/hr, and is expected to turn more southerly tomorrow.

The current forecast map shows Daman moving between the Central and Southern Lau Group and the Central and Southern Tongan Islands without scoring a direct hit on either area. This is very good news for both Fiji and Tonga, but authorities and residents in both show maintain a watchful eye in case of any shifts in course.

Cyclone Daman peaked in intensity yesterday and is now at Category 1 strength on the Saffir Simpson Scale. This equates to Category 2 on the Australia Scale. It will very gradually decline in strength as it moves into cooler waters.

Given that Daman is passing between Fiji and Tonga, cyclone alerts have been discontinued for all areas except the southern most island in the Lau Group Ona-i-Lau. Residents and authorities there should maintain preparation activities in line with a Category 1 strength Cyclone on the Saffir Simpson Scale and be particularly careful should the cyclone recurve to the southwest as some models show. Residents and Authorities throughout the rest of Fiji's Lau Group and Tonga need to continue monitor the situation and listen to Government warnings.

EFFECTS ON FIJI

CIKOBIA
Cikobia, true to its reputation as Fiji's "cyclone magnet", received a direct hit last night, and sustained considerable damage with most crops destroyed, trees down, extensive coastal erosion, and many houses flattened or sustaining serious damaged according to initial police and news reports. Police are now reporting 17 houses destroyed or seriously damaged, and a further 13 dwellings deroofed. The only communication remaining is through police radio. As has happened in all recent past cyclones (Kina in 1993, Gavin in 1997 and Ami in 2003), the island's residents safely weathered the storm in the strong cyclone-proof community hall near Vunuka and Nalele villages. Some reports from the west side of the island note some people also sheltered in caves. There have been no reports of serious injuries. A survey team is planning to go there tomorrow.

NORTHEAST VANUA LEVU
Yesterday many low-lying areas around Labasa, northeast Vanua Levu, Buca Bay and the Natewa Peninsula were evacuated. Many of these areas reported very heavy rain and squalls, along with coastal flooding, but no major damage or injuries have been reported. Most evacuees have now returned home. Some localised damage to few houses, crops and trees has been reported from Vanua Levu's far northeast Udu Peninsula and Natewa Peninsula and from Taveuni. Several roads in northeast Vanua Levu and Taveuni are still blocked by fallen trees and branches, but will likely be cleared tomorrow.


ALERTS AND WARNINGS


FIJI

A GALE WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR VANUA BALAVU, MUNIA, CIKOBIA, KATAFAGA, TUVUCA, ONEATA, MOCE, KOMO, NAMUKA. KABARA, OGEA, FULAGA,VATOA AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS.

A TROPICAL CYCLONE ALERT IS IN FORCE FOR ONO-I-LAU.


WALLIS AND FUTUNA

A STRONG WIND WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR ALL WALLIS AND FUTUNA WATERS.


TONGA

A TROPICAL CYCLONE ALERT HAS BEEN CANCELLED FOR CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN TONGA.
STRONG WIND WARNING AND DAMAGING SWELLS REMAIN IN FORCE FOR ALL TONGA WATERS

______________________

From the RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre

Special Weather Bulletin Number TWO for Tonga ON SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE DAMAN ISSUED FROM RSMC NADI

Dec 08/0530 UTC 2007 UTC.

TROPICAL CYCLONE ALERT CANCELLATION.

A TROPICAL CYCLONE ALERT HAS BEEN CANCELLED FOR CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN TONGA.

SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE DAMAN CENTRE 970HPA [CATEGORY 3] LOCATED NEAR 16 DECIMAL
7 SOUTH 178 DECIMAL 4 WEST AT 0300 UTC.

CLOSE TO ITS CENTRE, THE CYCLONE IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE AVERAGE WINDS UP TO 120 KM/HR WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS UP TO 170 KM/HR. TROPICAL CYCLONE DAMAN HAS WEAKENED OVER THE LAST 12 HOURS. THE CYCLONE IS NOW MOVING SOUTH-SOUTHEAST AT ABOUT 13 KM/HR AND IS EXPECTED TO CURVE TOWARDS THE SOUTHWEST WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS. IT THEREFORE NO LONGER POSES ANY DIRECT THREAT TO CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN TONGA. TROPICAL CYCLONE DAMAN WILL CONTINUE TO WEAKEN WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

THERE WILL BE NO OTHER SPECIAL WEATHER BULLETINS ISSUED ON TROPICAL CYCLONE DAMAN, UNLESS THE SYSTEM RECURVES AND APPROACHES TONGA.

_________________________

From the RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre

Special Weather Bulletin Number TWENTY-SEVEN for Fiji ON SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE DAMAN ISSUED FROM RSMC NADI at 10:44pm on Saturday the 8th of December 2007

TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING

A GALE WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR VANUA BALAVU, MUNIA, CIKOBIA,KATAFAGA, TUVUCA, ONEATA, MOCE, KOMO, NAMUKA. KABARA, OGEA, FULAGA, VATOA AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS.

A TROPICAL CYCLONE ALERT IS IN FORCE FOR ONO-I-LAU.

SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE DAMAN CENTRE 970HPA [CATEGORY 3] WAS LOCATED NEAR 17 DECIMAL 3 SOUTH 177 DECIMAL 9 WEST OR ABOUT 140 KILOMETRES TO THE NORTHEAST OF LAKEBA OR 215 KILOMETRES NORTH-NORTHEAST OF KABARA AT 10PM TONIGHT. CLOSE TO ITS CENTRE, THE CYCLONE IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE AVERAGE WINDS UP TO 120 KM/HR WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS UP TO 170 KM/HR. THE CYCLONE IS MOVING SOUTHEAST AT ABOUT 15 KM/HR AND EXPECTED TO GRADUALLY TURN TOWARDS THE SOUTH .

ON THIS TRACK, THE CYCLONE CENTRE IS EXPECTED TO LIE ABOUT 140 KILOMETRES TO THE EAST-NORTHEAST OF LAKEBA AT 6AM TOMORROW AND ABOUT 140 KILOMETRES EAST OF KABARA AT 6PM TOMORROW EVENING.

FOR VANUA BALAVU, MUNIA, CIKOBIA, KATAFAGA, TUVUCA, ONEATA, MOCE, KOMO, NAMUKA. KABARA, OGEA, FULAGA, VATOA AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS, EXPECT WINDS OF DAMAGING GALE FORCE OF 65 KM/HR WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 100 KM/HR FROM TONIGHT. WINDS WILL STRENGTHEN AS THE CYCLONE MOVES OVERHEAD OR NEARBY.

FOR ONO-I-LAU, WINDS MAY STRENGTHEN TO DAMAGING GALE FORCE WITH SPEEDS UP TO 65 KM/HR WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 100 KM/HR LATER TOMORROW IF THE CYCLONE MAINTAIN ITS CURRENT INTENSITY AND TRACK.

OCCASIONAL RAIN AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS OVER THE LAU GROUP. SEA FLOODING OF LOW-LYING COASTAL AREAS, ESPECIALLY AT THE TIME OF HIGH TIDE.

FOR THE REST OF FIJI, FINE WEATHER APART FROM SOME AFTERNOON AND EVENING SHOWERS WITH A FEW THUNDERSTORMS ESPECIALLY ABOUT THE MAIN ISLANDS. SOUTHEAST TO SOUTHWEST WINDS FRESH AND GUSTY AT TIMES. ROUGH SEAS. MODERATE TO HEAVY SWELLS.

FOR ROTUMA.
SLIGHT TO MODERATE NORTH TO NORTHWEST WINDS. CLOUDY PERIODS WITH SHOWERS REDEVELOPING AND BECOMING FREQUENT FROM TOMORROW . SLIGHT TO MODERATE SEAS. MODERATE SWELLS SLOWLY ABATING.

The following information is provided especially for the mariners: WINDS OF HURRICANE FORCE WITHIN 20 MILES OF CENTRE WITH PHENOMINAL SEAS. DESTRUCTIVE STORM FORCE WINDS WITHIN 35 MILES OF CENTRE WITH VERY HIGH SEAS. DAMAGING GALE FORCE WINDS TO 55 MILES OF CENTRE WITH VERY ROUGH TO HIGH SEAS. DAMAGING HEAVY SWELLS.

FOR KORO SEA, VATU-I-RA PASSAGE, KADAVU PASSAGE AND SOUTHWEST VITI LEVU, SOUTH TO SOUTHEAST WINDS 20 TO 25 KNOTS. ROUGH SEAS. MODERATE TO HEAVY SWELLS. ELSEWHERE, SOUTH TO SOUTHEAST WINDS 15 KNOTS. MODERATE SEAS. MODERATE TO HEAVY SWELLS.

THE NEXT SPECIAL WEATHER BULLETIN FOR FIJI WILL BE ISSUED AROUND 2AM TOMORROW MORNING.

___________________________________________________________
APCEDI will continue to monitor the progress of this system.

Kevin Vang
APCEDI Coordinator
http://www.afap.org/apcedi/

To donate to AFAP's Disaster Preparedness, Relief and Rehabilitation Programs in Asia and the Pacific, go to http://www.afap.org and click on the "Donate On-Line" icon in the top right-hand corner.

To sign up for AFAP's free APCEDI email service, please go to http://www.afap.org/apcedi/ and register your email address.

APCEDI Alert SP/FJ 05P Daman #8-2008: Cyclone Daman Clears Vanua Levu, Causes Damage in Cikobia

The RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre, the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre continue to issue guidance on Cyclone Daman that is currently moving between Fiji's Lau Group and the Northern Tongan Islands.

The centre of Cyclone Daman is located near about 210 kilometres east of Taveuni or 190 kilometres northeast of Cicia in the Lau Group at 1PM this afternoon Fiji time.

Daman is moving to the east-southeast at 25 km/hr, and is expected to maintain this course through the remainder of today, moving away from Fiji. Fortunately for Viti Levu Vanua Levu and Taveuni, Cyclone Daman missed the main population centres on the main islands as well as most of the outliers as well. Only the small island of Cikobia scored a direct hit.

The current forecast map shows Daman moving between the Central and Southern Lau Group and the Central and Southern Tongan Islands without scoring a direct hit on either area. This is very good news for both Fiji and Tonga, but authorities and residents in both show maintain a watchful eye in case of any shifts in course.

Cyclone Daman peaked in intensity yesterday and is now at Category 2 strength on the Saffir Simpson Scale. This equates to Category 3 on the Australia Scale. It will very gradually decline in strength as it moves into cooler waters.

Residents and Authorities throughout Fiji's Lau Group and Tonga need to continue listen to Government warnings and maintain preparation activities in effected areas in line with a Category 2 strength Cyclone on the Saffir Simpson Scale. Residents and authorities in Wallis and Futuna should be mindful of very rough seas in the area.

EFFECTS ON FIJI

CIKOBIA
Cikobia, true to its reputation as Fiji's "cyclone magnet", received a direct hit last night, and sustained considerable damage with most crops destroyed, trees down, extensive coastal erosion, and many houses flattened or sustaining serious damaged according to initial police and news reports. The only communication remaining is through police radio. As has happened in all recent past cyclones (Kina in 1993, Gavin in 1997 and Ami in 2003), the island's residents safely weathered the storm in the strong cyclone-proof community hall near Vunuka and Nalele villages. There have been no reports of serious injuries.

NORTHEAST VANUA LEVU
Yesterday many low-lying areas around Labasa, northeast Vanua Levu, Buca Bay and the Natewa Peninsula were evacuated. Many of these areas reported very heavy rain and squalls, along with coastal flooding, but no major damage or injuries have been reported. Most evacuees have now returned home. Some localised damage to few houses, crops and trees has been reported from Vanua Levu's far northeast Udu Peninsula


ALERTS AND WARNINGS


FIJI

THE HURRICANE WARNING IS NOW CANCELED FOR CIKOBIA, NORTHERN LAU, AND NEARBY ISLANDS.

THE STORM WARNING IS NOW CANCELED FOR TAVEUNI, CENTRAL LAU GROUP AND NEARBY ISLANDS.

A GALE WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN LAU BUT IS NOW CANCELED FOR THE NORTHERN LAU GROUP.


WALLIS AND FUTUNA

A STRONG WIND WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR ALL WALLIS AND FUTUNA WATERS.


TONGA

A TROPICAL CYCLONE ALERT IS NOW IN FORCE FOR CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN TONGA INCLUDING VAVA'U, HA'APAI, EUA AND TONGATAPU.

______________________

From the RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre

Special Weather Bulletin Number ONE for TONGA ON SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE DAMAN ISSUED FROM FUA'AMOTU 1:40PM 08 DEC 2007.

TROPICAL CYCLONE ALERT.

A TROPICAL CYCLONE ALERT IS NOW IN FORCE FOR VAVA'U, HA'APAI, EUA AND TONGATAPU.

SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE DAMAN CENTRE 940HPA [CATEGORY 4] WAS LOCATED NEAR 16 DECIMAL 2 SOUTH 178 DECIMAL 6 WEST OR ABOUT 550 KM WNW OF VAVAU AT 11:00AM THIS MORNING.

CURRENTLY, CLOSE TO ITS CENTRE, THE CYCLONE IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE AVERAGE WINDS UP
TO 90 KNOTS(165KM/H) WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS UP TO 125KNOTS(230KM/H). THE CYCLONE IS
NOW MOVING EAST-SOUTHEAST AT ABOUT 10KNOTS(18KM/H) AND EXPECTED TO CURVE MORE TOWARDS
THE SOUTH. TROPICAL CYCLONE DAMAN WILL CONTINUE TO WEAKEN WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS
AND IS EXPECTED TO BE OF STORM FORCE WINDS BY THE TIME IT APPROACHES THE FOREWARNED AREAS.

FOR THE VAVA'U, HA'APAI, TONGATAPU AND NEARBY ISLANDS, EXPECT WINDS INCREASING
TO DAMAGING GALE FORCE OF 35KNOTS WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 60 KNOTS FROM TOMORROW.

The following information is provided especially for the mariners:

TOMORROW EXPECT WINDS OF DESTRUCTIVE STORM FORCE WITHIN 30 MILES OF CENTRE WITH VERY HIGH SEAS. DAMAGING GALE FORCE WINDS TO 50 MILES WITH VERY ROUGH TO HIGH SEAS. DAMAGING HEAVY SWELLS.

THE NEXT SPECIAL WEATHER BULLETIN WILL BE ISSUED AROUND 8:00PM TODAY.

_________________________

From the RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre

Special Weather Bulletin Number TWENTY-FOUR for FIJI ON SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE DAMAN ISSUED FROM RSMC NADI at 2:16pm on Saturday the 8th of December 2007

TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING

A GALE WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN LAU BUT IS NOW CANCELLED FOR THE NORTHERN LAU GROUP.

SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE DAMAN CENTRE 950HPA [CATEGORY 3] WAS LOCATED NEAR 16 DECIMAL 6 SOUTH 178 DECIMAL 0 WEST OR ABOUT 210 KILOMETRES EAST OF TAVEUNI AND 190 KILOMETRES NORTHEAST OF CICIA AT 1PM TODAY. CLOSE TO ITS CENTRE, THE CYCLONE IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE AVERAGE WINDS UP TO 155 KM/HR WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS UP TO 220 KM/HR. THE CYCLONE IS MOVING EAST-SOUTHEAST AT ABOUT 25 KM/HR AND EXPECTED TO CONTINUE ON THIS CURRENT TRACK FOR SOME TIME.

FOR THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN LAU GROUP, WINDS OF DAMAGING GALE FORCE OF 65 KM/HR WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 110 KM/HR THIS EVENING AND TONIGHT.

EXPECT RAIN AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS ESPECIALLY OVER THE LAU GROUP. SEA FLOODING OF LOW-LYING COASTAL AREAS, ESPECIALLY AT THE TIME OF HIGH TIDE.

OVER YASAWA, MAMANUCA, VITI LEVU AND KADAVU FIJI EXPECT FINE WEATHER APART FROM ISOLATED AFTERNOON SHOWERS WITH A FEW THUNDERSTORMS.

FOR THE REST OF FIJI OCCASIONAL RAIN GRADUALLY EASING AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.

FOR ROTUMA.
SLIGHT TO MODERATE NORTH TO NORTHWEST WINDS. CLOUDY PERIODS WITH SHOWERS REDEVELOPING AND BECOMING FREQUENT FROM TOMORROW . SLIGHT TO MODERATE SEAS. MODERATE TO HEAVY SWELLS SLOWLY ABATING.

The following information is provided especially for the mariners: EXPECT WINDS OF DAMAGING GALE FORCE WINDS TO 55 MILES OF CENTRE WITH VERY ROUGH TO HIGH SEAS. DAMAGING HEAVY SWELLS.

FOR THE REST OF FIJI WATERS EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS OVER THE SOUTHEAST HALF OF THE GROUP, BECOMING SOUTHWEST 15 TO 20 KNOTS ELSEWHERE. MODERATE TO ROUGH SWEAS. MODERATE TO HEAVY SWELLS.


THE NEXT SPECIAL WEATHER BULLETIN FOR FIJI WILL BE ISSUED AROUND 5PM TODAY.

___________________________________________________________
APCEDI will continue to monitor the progress of this system.

Kevin Vang
APCEDI Coordinator
http://www.afap.org/apcedi/

To donate to AFAP's Disaster Preparedness, Relief and Rehabilitation Programs in Asia and the Pacific, go to http://www.afap.org and click on the "Donate On-Line" icon in the top right-hand corner.

To sign up for AFAP's free APCEDI email service, please go to http://www.afap.org/apcedi/ and register your email address.

APCEDI Alert SP/FJ 05P Daman #7-2008: Cyclone Daman Peaks in Intensity and Sideswipes Vanua Levu

The RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre, the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre continue to issue guidance on Cyclone Daman that is currently moving offshore along the north coast of Vanua Levu.

The centre of Cyclone Daman is located near about 110 kilometres north of Labasa at 9PM this evening Fiji time.

Daman is moving to the east at 15 km/hr, but is expected to shift to the southeast later tonight. This continues to shift Daman's track eastward. This is very fortunate for both Viti Levu and Vanua Levu as the main population centres on both islands now look to be spared the full effect of the storm.

The current forecast map shows Daman paralleling the north coast of Vanua Levu about 100 km out to sea. Daman is likely to shift to the southeast later tonight and into the morning, but the timing of the shift will be critical to the affect of the storm in Northeast Vanua Levu. The current forecast brings Daman straight over the small island of Cikobia off the northeast coast or Vanua Levu, and then has the storm passing just offshore of the Udu Peninsula in far northeast Vanua Levu, passing offshore of the Natewa Peninsula and Rabi Island, and then well off the eastern shore of Taveuni, Qamea, Laucala and Matagi Islands and into the Northern Lau Group.

Cyclone Daman has peaked in intensity during the day but remains at Category 3 strength on the Saffir Simpson Scale. This equates to Category 4 on the Australia Scale. It will likely maintain this strength as it passes by Vanua Levu and the Lau Group where it wil begin to slowly lose strength.

Many low-lying areas around Labasa, northeast Vanua Levu, Buca Bay and the Natewa Peninsula have already been evacuated. Many of these areas are reporting very heavy rain and squalls, along with coastal flooding, but no major damage or injuries have been reported.

Special attention now turns to the small island of Cikobia, which lies off the northeast coast of Vanua Levu. Cikobia has historically been a "cyclone magnet", and suffered from hits or near direct hits of Cyclones Kina in 1993, Gavin in 1997 and Ami in 2003. As such, there a strong safe house there which serves as a hurricane shelter for the islands residents, and they have historically been well-prepared for cyclones although they often lose most of their crops and many traditional bush houses. Cikobia could well receive a direct hit later tonight and into tomorrow morning, so all preparations should be immediately rushed to finish.

Residents throughout Fiji need to continue listen to Government warnings and maintain preparation activities in effected areas in line with a Category 3 strength Cyclone on the Saffir Simpson Scale.

At Category 3 strength on the Saffir Simpson Scale, Daman is a very severe cyclone and very dangerous. Residents of Cikobia and northeast Vanua Levu, Taveuni and surrounding areas in the Northern Lau Group who are currently near or directly in the path need to be especially careful. Communities in and around where the eye of Daman could expect storm surge generally 3-5 metres above normal. Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings with a minor amount of curtainwall failures. Damage to shrubbery and trees with foliage blown off trees and large tress blown down. Unsecured structures, structures made of bush material, caravans/mobile homes and poorly constructed signs are destroyed. Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the hurricane center. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by battering of floating debris. Terrain continuously lower than 2 metres above mean sea level may be flooded inland 8 miles (13 km) or more. Evacuation of low-lying residences with several blocks of the shoreline may be required.

Resident and authorities in Tonga should closely watch this system as it works its way through the Lau Group. Residents and authorities in Wallis and Futuna should also keep any eye on the storm in case of any sudden direction change to the northeast.

ALERTS AND WARNINGS

FIJI

TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING

A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR CIKOBIA, NORTH-EASTERN PARTS
OF VANUA LEVU AND NEARBY ISLANDS AND THE NORTHERN LAU GROUP.

A STORM WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR KIA, THE REST OF EASTERN HALF OF
VANUA LEVU, TAVEUNI AND NEARBY ISLANDS AND CENTRAL LAU GROUP.

A GALE WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR THE SOUTHERN LAU GROUP.


FUTUNA

A STRONG WIND WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR ALL FUTUNA WATERS


TONGA

A STRONG WIND WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR ALL TONGA WATERS.

______________________

From the RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre

Special Weather Bulletin Number NINETEEN for Fiji ON SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE DAMAN ISSUED FROM RSMC NADI at 10:57pm on Friday the 7th of December 2007

TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING

A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR CIKOBIA, NORTH-EASTERN PARTS
OF VANUA LEVU AND NEARBY ISLANDS AND THE NORTHERN LAU GROUP.

A STORM WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR KIA, THE REST OF EASTERN HALF OF
VANUA LEVU, TAVEUNI AND NEARBY ISLANDS AND CENTRAL LAU GROUP.

A GALE WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR THE SOUTHERN LAU GROUP.

SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE DAMAN CENTRE 925HPA [CATEGORY 4] WAS LOCATED NEAR 15 DECIMAL 5 SOUTH 179 DECIMAL 4 EAST OR ABOUT 110 KILOMETRES NORTH OF LABASA AT 10.45PM TONIGHT. CLOSE TO ITS CENTRE, THE CYCLONE IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE AVERAGE WINDS UP TO 180 KM/HR WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS UP TO 260 KM/HR. THE CYCLONE IS NOW MOVING EAST AT ABOUT 15 KM/HR BUT EXPECTED TO GRADUALLY CURVE TOWARDS THE SOUTHEAST.

FOR CIKOBIA, NORTH-EASTERN PARTS OF VANUA LEVU AND NEARBY ISLANDS AND THE NORTHERN LAU GROUP, WINDS INCREASING TO VERY DESTRUCTIVE HURRICANE FORCE WITH AVERAGE SPEEDS UPTO 180 KM/HR WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 260 KM/HR OVERNIGHT.

FOR KIA, THE REST OF EASTERN HALF OF VANUA LEVU, TAVEUNI AND NEARBY ISLANDS AND CENTRAL LAU GROUP, WINDS INCREASING TO DESTRUCTIVE STORM FORCE WITH AVERAGE SPEEDS UPTO 110 KM/HR WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 160 KM/HR TOMORROW.

OVER THE SOUTHERN LAU GROUP, WINDS INCREASING TO DAMAGING GALE FORCE OF 65 TO 85 KM/HR WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 110 KM/HR FROM LATER TOMORROW.

EXPECT HEAVY RAIN AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS ESPECIALLY OVER THE EASTERN HALF OF THE COUNTRY. FLASH FLOODING OF LOW-LYING AREAS, RIVERS AND STREAMS. SEA FLOODING OF LOW-LYING COASTAL AREAS, ESPECIALLY AT THE TIME OF HIGH TIDE.

FOR THE REST OF FIJI SOME SHOWERS WITH ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS. ROUGH SEAS. MODERATE TO HEAVY SWELLS.

FOR ROTUMA.
NORTH TO NORTHWEST WINDS FRESH AND GUSTY. CLOUDY PERIODS WITH OCCASIONAL SHOWERS AND A FEW SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS. ROUGH SEAS. MODERATE TO HEAVY SWELLS.


The following information is provided especially for the mariners: EXPECT WINDS OF VERY DESTRUCTIVE HURRICANE FORCE WITHIN 30 MILES OF CYCLONE CENTRE WITH PHENOMINAL SEAS. DESTRUCTIVE STORM FORCE WINDS WITHIN 50 MILES OF CENTRE WITH VERY HIGH SEAS. DAMAGING GALE FORCE WINDS TO 75 MILES WITH VERY ROUGH TO HIGH SEAS. DAMAGING HEAVY
SWELLS.

THE NEXT SPECIAL WEATHER BULLETIN FOR FIJI WILL BE ISSUED AROUND 2AM TOMORROW MORNING.

___________________________________________________________
APCEDI will continue to monitor the progress of this system.

Kevin Vang
APCEDI Coordinator
http://www.afap.org/apcedi/

To donate to AFAP's Disaster Preparedness, Relief and Rehabilitation Programs in Asia and the Pacific, go to http://www.afap.org and click on the "Donate On-Line" icon in the top right-hand corner.

To sign up for AFAP's free APCEDI email service, please go to http://www.afap.org/apcedi/ and register your email address.

APCEDI Alert SP/FJ 05P Daman #6-2008: Cyclone Daman Continues to Strengthen and Continues to Shift Course East, Closes in on Vanua Levu

The RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre, the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre continue to issue guidance on Cyclone Daman that is currently bearing down on the main Fiji Group.

The centre of Cyclone Daman is located near about 135 kilometres north of the Yasawa Group or 235 kilometres west-northwest of Labasa at 10AM this morning Fiji time.

Daman is moving to the east at 20 km/hr, but is expected to shift to the southeast later today. This continues to shift Daman's track eastward. The current forecast map shows Daman closing in on Northern Vanua Levu and making a direct hit on Labasa early tonight. This includes the island of Mali. Daman will continue across Eastern Vanua Levu across Natewa Bay, then into the Buca Bay, Fawn Harbour Area. From there it will cross the Somosomo Straight, move across Taveuni and then into the Northern Lau Group.

Cyclone Daman has increased in intensity to a Category 3 strength on the Saffir Simpson Scale. This equates to Category 4 on the Australia Scale. It will likely maintain this strength or increase slightly before hitting Vanua Levu. Interaction with the Vanua Levu mountains will likely inhibit growth as it crosses the island still likely a Category 3 storm on the Saffir Simpson Scale.

Residents throughout Fiji need to listen to Government warnings and rush cyclone preparation activities to a finish today in line with a Category 2-3 strength Cyclone on the Saffir Simpson Scale.

At Category 3 strength on the Saffir Simpson Scale, Daman is a very severe cyclone and increasingly very dangerous. Residents of Mali, Labasa, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and surrounding areas who are currently in the direct path need to be especially careful. Communities in and around where the eye of Daman could expect storm surge generally 3-5 metres above normal. Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings with a minor amount of curtainwall failures. Damage to shrubbery and trees with foliage blown off trees and large tress blown down. Unsecured structures, structures made of bush material, caravans/mobile homes and poorly constructed signs are destroyed. Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the hurricane center. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by battering of floating debris. Terrain continuously lower than 2 metres above mean sea level may be flooded inland 8 miles (13 km) or more. Evacuation of low-lying residences with several blocks of the shoreline may be required.

Resident and authorities in Tonga should closely watch this system as it works its way through the Lau Group.

ALERTS AND WARNINGS

FIJI

TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING

A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR THE NORTHERN YASAWA GROUP, NORTHEASTERN VITI LEVU, LOMAIVITI GROUP, TAVEUNI, VANUA LEVU, NORTHERN LAU GROUP, AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS.

A STORM WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR THE SOUTHERN YASAWA GROUP, CENTRAL PARTS OF VITI LEVU, AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS.

A GALE WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR THE REST OF FIJI

TONGA

A STRONG WIND WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR ALL TONGA WATERS.

______________________

From the RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre
Special Weather Bulletin Number FIFTEEN for Fiji ON SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE DAMAN
ISSUED FROM RSMC NADI at 10:55am on Friday the 7th of December 2007

TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING

A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR THE NORTHERN YASAWA GROUP, NORTHEASTERN VITI LEVU, LOMAIVITI GROUP, TAVEUNI, VANUA LEVU, NORTHERN LAU GROUP, AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS.

A STORM WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR THE SOUTHERN YASAWA GROUP, CENTRAL PARTS OF VITI LEVU, AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS.

A GALE WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR THE REST OF FIJI.

SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE DAMAN CENTRE 940HPA [CATEGORY 4] WAS LOCATED NEAR 15 DECIMAL 5 SOUTH 177 DECIMAL 4 EAST OR ABOUT 135 KILOMETRES NORTH OF YASAWA OR 185 KILOMETRES NORTHWEST OF NABOUWALU OR 235 KILOMETRES WEST-NORTHWEST OF LABASA AT 10AM TODAY. CLOSE TO ITS CENTRE, THE CYCLONE IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE AVERAGE WINDS UP TO 175 KM/HR WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS UP TO 250 KM/HR. THE CYCLONE IS NOW MOVING EAST ABOUT 20 KM/HR BUT EXPECTED TO CURVE SOUTHEAST LATER.

FOR THE NORTHERN YASAWA GROUP, NORTHEASTERN VITI LEVU, LOMAIVITI GROUP, TAVEUNI, VANUA LEVU, NORTHERN LAU GROUP, AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS, WINDS INCREASING TO DAMAGING GALE FORCE THIS EARLY AFTERNOON, STRENGTHENING FURTHER TO DESTRUCTIVE STORM FORCE AND THEN TO VERY DESTRUCTIVE HURRICANE FORCE WITH AVERAGE SPEEDS OF UPTO 175 KM/HR WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 250 KM/HR LATER TODAY.

FOR THE SOUTHERN YASAWA GROUP, CENTRAL PARTS OF VITI LEVU, AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS, WINDS INCREASING TO DAMAGING GALE FORCE LATER TODAY. WINDS STRENGTHENING FURTHER TO DESTRUCTIVE STORM FORCE WITH AVERAGE SPEEDS OF UPTO 120 KM/HR WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 170 KM/HR FROM TONIGHT.

OVER THE REST OF FIJI, WINDS INCREASING TO DAMAGING GALE FORCE OF 65 TO 85 KM/HR WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 110 KM/HR FROM TONIGHT.

EXPECT WIDESPREAD HEAVY RAIN AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS. FLOODING OF LOW-LYING AREAS, RIVERS AND STREAMS. SEA FLOODING OF LOW-LYING COASTAL AREAS, ESPECIALLY AT THE TIME OF HIGH TIDE.

FOR ROTUMA.
NORTH TO NORTHWEST WINDS FRESH AND GUSTY. PERIODS OF RAIN HEAVY AT TIMES AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS. ROUGH SEAS. MODERATE TO HEAVY SWELLS,

The following information is provided especially for the mariners:EXPECT WINDS OF VERY DESTRUCTIVE HURRICANE FORCE WITHIN 35 MILES OF CYCLONE CENTRE WITH PHENOMINAL SEAS. DESTRUCTIVE STORM FORCE WINDS WITHIN 55 MILES OF CENTRE WITH VERY HIGH SEAS. DAMAGING GALE FORCE WINDS TO 90 MILES WITH VERY ROUGH TO HIGH SEAS. DAMAGING HEAVY
SWELLS.

THE NEXT SPECIAL WEATHER BULLETIN FOR FIJI WILL BE ISSUED AROUND 2PM TODAY

___________________________________________________________
APCEDI will continue to monitor the progress of this system.

Kevin Vang
APCEDI Coordinator
http://www.afap.org/apcedi/

To donate to AFAP's Disaster Preparedness, Relief and Rehabilitation Programs in Asia and the Pacific, go to http://www.afap.org and click on the "Donate On-Line" icon in the top right-hand corner.

To sign up for AFAP's free APCEDI email service, please go to http://www.afap.org/apcedi/ and register your email address.

APCEDI Alert SP/FJ 05P Daman #5-2008: Cyclone Daman Strengthens, Shifts Course East, Threatens Vanua Levu

The RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre, the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre continue to issue guidance on Cyclone Daman that is currently bearing down on the main Fiji Group.

The centre of Cyclone Daman is located near about 155 kilometres north-northwest of the Yasawa Group or 255 kilometres north-northwest of Nadi at 6AM this morning Fiji time.

Daman is moving to the southeast at 10 km/hr, although the course has been more easterly overnight. This has shifted Daman's track eastward. The current forecast map shows Daman passing north of the Yasawas and Viti Levu, sparing them from the worst effects of the storm. Daman is now set to hit Western Vanua Levu near Oaloa Bay and the small island of Yaqaga. Cyclone Daman will then cross western Vanua Levu into the Koro Sea where it will pass near or over Namanalala and Koro Islands. From there it is set to take a track southward between Lomaiviti and Lau Groups.

Cyclone Daman has increased in intensity to a Category 2 strength on the Saffir Simpson Scale. It will likely maintain this strength or even increase ro Category 3 before it hits Vanua Levu. Interaction with the Vanua Levu mountains will likely inhibit growth as it crosses the island still likely a Category 2 storm on the Saffir Simpson Scale.

Residents throughout Fiji need to listen to Government warnings and rush cyclone preparation activities to a finish today in line with a Category 2-3 strength Cyclone on the Saffir Simpson Scale.

At Category 2-3 strength, Daman is increasingly dangerous. Residents of Yaqaga, Western Vanua Levu, Namanalala and Koro who are currently in the direct path need to be especially careful. Communities in and around where the eye of Daman could expect storm surge generally 2-5 metres above normal. Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings with a minor amount of curtainwall failures. Damage to shrubbery and trees with foliage blown off trees and large tress blown down. Unsecured structures, structures made of bush material, mobile homes and poorly constructed signs are destroyed. Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the hurricane center. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by battering of floating debris. Terrain continuously lower than 2 metres above mean sea level may be flooded inland 8 miles (13 km) or more. Evacuation of low-lying residences with several blocks of the shoreline may be required.

Resident and authorities in Tonga should closely watch this system as it works its way through the Lau Group.

ALERTS AND WARNINGS

FIJI

TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING

A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR YASAWA GROUP, NORTHEASTERN VITI LEVU, LOMAIVITI GROUP, TAVEUNI, VANUA LEVU AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS.

A STORM WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR THE NORTHERN HALF OF MAMANUCA GROUP, REST OF VITI LEVU, AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS.

A GALE WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR THE REST OF FIJI.


TONGA

A STRONG WIND WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR ALL TONGA WATERS.

______________________

From the RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre
Special Weather Bulletin Number FOURTEEN for Fiji ON SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE DAMAN
ISSUED FROM RSMC NADI at 8:01am on Friday the 7th of December 2007

TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING

A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR YASAWA GROUP, NORTHEASTERN VITI LEVU, LOMAIVITI GROUP, TAVEUNI, VANUA LEVU AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS.

A STORM WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR THE NORTHERN HALF OF MAMANUCA GROUP, REST OF VITI LEVU, AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS.

A GALE WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR THE REST OF FIJI.

SEVERE TROPICAL CYCLONE DAMAN CENTRE [CAT 3] WAS LOCATED NEAR 15 DECIMAL 5 SOUTH 176 DECIMAL 9 EAST OR ABOUT 155 KILOMETRES NORTH-NORTHWEST OF YASAWA OR 220 KILOMETRES NORTHWEST OF NABOUWALU OR 255 KILOMETRES NORTH-NORTHWEST OF NADI AT 06AM TODAY. CLOSE TO ITS CENTRE, THE CYCLONE IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE AVERAGE WINDS UP TO 155 KM/HR WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS UP TO 220 KM/HR. THE CYCLONE IS NOW MOVING SOUTHEAST ABOUT 15 KM/HR.

FOR THE YASAWA GROUP, NORTHEASTERN VITI LEVU, LOMAIVITI GROUP, TAVEUNI, VANUA LEVU AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS, WINDS INCREASING TO DAMAGING GALE FORCE THIS MORNING, STRENGTHENING FURTHER TO DESTRUCTIVE STORM FORCE AND THEN TO VERY DESTRUCTIVE HURRICANE FORCE WITH AVERAGE SPEEDS OF UPTO 155 KM/HR WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 220
KM/HR LATER TODAY.

FOR THE NORTHERN HALF OF MAMANUCA GROUP, REST OF VITI LEVU, AND NEARBY SMALLER ISLANDS, WINDS INCREASING TO DAMAGING GALE FORCE LATER TODAY. WINDS STRENGTHENING FURTHER TO DESTRUCTIVE STORM FORCE WITH AVERAGE SPEEDS OF UPTO 120 KM/HR WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 170 KM/HR FROM TONIGHT.

OVER THE REST OF FIJI, WINDS INCREASING TO DAMAGING GALE FORCE OF 65 TO 85 KM/HR WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 110 KM/HR FROM TONIGHT.

EXPECT WIDESPREAD HEAVY RAIN AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS. FLOODING OF LOW-LYING AREAS, RIVERS AND STREAMS. SEA FLOODING OF LOW-LYING COASTAL AREAS, ESPECIALLY AT THE TIME OF HIGH TIDE.

FOR ROTUMA.
NORTH TO NORTHWEST WINDS FRESH AND GUSTY. PERIODS OF RAIN HEAVY AT TIMES AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS. ROUGH SEAS. MODERATE TO HEAVY SWELLS,

The following information is provided especially for the mariners: EXPECT WINDS OF VERY DESTRUCTIVE HURRICANE FORCE WITHIN 40 MILES OF CYCLONE CENTRE WITH PHENOMINAL SEAS. DESTRUCTIVE STORM FORCE WINDS WITHIN 60 MILES OF CENTRE WITH VERY HIGH SEAS. DAMAGING GALE FORCE WINDS TO 100 MILES WITH VERY ROUGH TO HIGH SEAS. DAMAGING HEAVY
SWELLS.

THE NEXT SPECIAL WEATHER BULLETIN FOR FIJI WILL BE ISSUED AROUND 11AM
TODAY

___________________________________________________________
APCEDI will continue to monitor the progress of this system.

Kevin Vang
APCEDI Coordinator
http://www.afap.org/apcedi/

To donate to AFAP's Disaster Preparedness, Relief and Rehabilitation Programs in Asia and the Pacific, go to http://www.afap.org and click on the "Donate On-Line" icon in the top right-hand corner.

To sign up for AFAP's free APCEDI email service, please go to http://www.afap.org/apcedi/ and register your email address.

APCEDI Alert SP/FJ 05P Daman #4-2008: Cyclone Daman Closing in on Yasawas, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu

The RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre, the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre continue to issue guidance on Cyclone Daman that is currently bearing down on the main Fiji Group.

The centre of Cyclone Daman is located near about 270 kilometres northwest of the Yasawa Group or 350 kilometres north-northwest of Nadi at 3PM this morning Fiji time.

Daman is moving to the south at 20 km/hr, and should shortly recurve more to the southeast bearing down on Fiji starting with the Yasawa and Mamanuca Island chains in the west. Current forecast map shows Daman passing over the Northern and Central Yasawas late tonight, and then taking a course across Northeast Viti Levu tomorrow coming ashore between Tavua and Rakiraki and then exiting the island over the Nausori-Rewa Delta area. The Cyclone will then push on into the Western Lomaiviti and Lau Groups.

Cyclone Daman is currently at Category 1 strength on the Saffir Simpson Scale. It will likely maintain this strength or slightly increase before it hits the Yasawas and Viti Levu. Interaction with the Viti Levu mountains will likely inhibit growth tomorrow as it crosses the island still likely a Category 1 storm on the Saffir Simpson Scale.

Residents throughout Fiji need to listen to Government warnings and rush cyclone preparation activities to a finish today in line with a Category 1-2 strength Cyclone on the Saffir Simpson Scale.

Resident and authorities in Tonga should closely watch this system as it works its way through the Lau Group. Although not threatened at this time, residents and authorities in Vanuatu, should continue to keep a close eye on this system in case of any unpredicted, rapid shifts in course.

ALERTS AND WARNINGS

FIJI

TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING.

A STORM WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR THE YASAWA AND MAMANUCA GROUPS, AND NORTHWESTERN VITI LEVU.

A GALE WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR THE REST OF VITI LEVU, LOMAIVITI GROUP, WESTERN VANUA LEVU, KADAVU AND NEARBY SMALL ISLANDS.

A STRONG WIND WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR ROTUMA.

TONGA

A STRONG WIND WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR ALL TONGA WATERS.

______________________

From the RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone CentreSpecial Weather Bulletin Number NINE FOR

FIJI AND ROTUMA ON TROPICAL
CYCLONE DAMAN ISSUED FROM RSMC NADI at 4:41pm on Thursday the 6th of December 2007

TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING.

A STORM WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR THE YASAWA AND MAMANUCA GROUPS, AND NORTHWESTERN VITI LEVU.

A GALE WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR THE REST OF VITI LEVU, LOMAIVITI GROUP, WESTERN VANUA LEVU, KADAVU AND NEARBY SMALL ISLANDS.

A TROPICAL CYCLONE ALERT REMAINS IN FORCE FOR THE REST OF FIJI. TROPICAL CYCLONE DAMAN CENTRE [CAT 2] WAS LOCATED NEAR 15 DECIMAL 1 SOUTH 175 DECIMAL 7 EAST OR ABOUT 350 KILOMETRES NORTH-NORTHWEST OF NADI AND 270 NORTHWEST OF YASAWA AT 3PM TODAY. CLOSE TO ITS CENTRE,

THE CYCLONE IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE AVERAGE WINDS UP TO 110 KM/HR WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS UP TO 150 KM/HR. THE CYCLONE IS EXPECTED TO CURVE SOUTHEASTWARDS TOWARDS THE YASAWAS AND MAMANUCAS, AND NORTHWESTERN VITI LEVU WITH WINDS INCREASING TO 50 TO 70 KM/HR FROM THIS EVENING AND TO 90 TO 110 KM/HR FROM FRIDAY MORNING.

OVER THE REST OF VITI LEVU, LOMAIVITI GROUP, WESTERN VANUA LEVU, KADAVU AND NEARBY SMALL ISLANDS. EXPECT WINDS TO BE 40 TO 60 KM/HR OVERNIGHT AND INCREASING TO 65 TO 85 KM/HR FRIDAY AFTERNOON. OVER THE REMAINDER OF THE FIJI WINDS SHOULD INCREASE EARLY FRIDAY MORNING TO 30 TO 50 KM/HR, AND 50 TO 65 KM/HR LATER IN THE DAY. FOR THE WHOLE COUNTRY, EXPECT WIDESPREAD RAIN BECOMING FREQUENT WITH HEAVY FALLS AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS. SEA FLOODING OF LOW-LYING COASTAL AREAS EXPECTED, ALSO FLOODING OF LOW-LYING AREAS, RIVERS AND STREAMS.

THE STRONG WIND WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR ROTUMA. OVER ROTUMA EXPECT NORTHWEST WINDS 35 TO 50 KM/HR AND GUSTS TO 65 KM/HR EASING TO FRESH THIS EVENING . RAIN GRADUALLY EASING.

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED ESPECIALLY FOR THE MARINERS: DESTRUCTIVE STORM FORCE WINDS WITHIN 50 NAUTICAL MILES OF CENTRE. VERY HIGH SEAS. DAMAGING GALE FORCE WINDS WITHIN 100 MILES OF CENTRE IN THE SOUTHEAST SEMI-CIRCLE AND 80 NAUTICAL MILES OF CENTRE IN THE NORTHWEST SEMI-CIRCLE . VERY ROUGH TO HIGH SEAS. DAMAGING HEAVY SWELLS.

The next Special Weather Bulletin for Fiji and Rotuma will be issued around 8pm this evening.

___________________________________________________________
APCEDI will continue to monitor the progress of this system.

Kevin Vang
APCEDI Coordinator
http://www.afap.org/apcedi/

To donate to AFAP's Disaster Preparedness, Relief and Rehabilitation Programs in Asia and the Pacific, go to http://www.afap.org and click on the "Donate On-Line" icon in the top right-hand corner.

To sign up for AFAP's free APCEDI email service, please go to http://www.afap.org/apcedi/ and register your email address.

APCEDI Alert SP/FJ 05P Daman #3-2008: Cyclone Daman Bears down on Yasawas, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu

The RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre, the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre continue to issue guidance on Cyclone Daman that formed near Rotuma, Fiji Wednesday afternoon.

The centre of Cyclone Daman is located near about 115 Kilometres to the south-southwest of Rotuma or 430 kilometres north-northwest of Nadi at 9AM this morning Fiji time.

Daman is now pulling well away from Rotuma. Rotuma experienced damaging gale force conditions yesterday afternoon and night, but there are no reports of serious damage. There are reports of minor beach erosion in isolated, exposed areas, with some damage to crops. Lots of tree limbs are down.

Daman is moving to the south at 10 km/hr, and throughout the day will increasingly bear down on Fiji starting with the Yasawa Island chain in the west. Current forecast map shows Daman passing over the Northern and Central Yasawas late tonight, and then taking a course across Northeast Viti Levu tomorrow coming ashore between Tavua and Rakiraki and then exiting the island over the Nausori-Rewa Delta area. The Cyclone will then push on into the Western Lau Group. All of Fiji, except Rotuma, remains under a Cyclone Alert with the Northwest area under a Cyclone Warning.

Cyclone Daman is currently near Category 1 strength on the Saffir Simpson Scale. It will likely maintain this strength or slightly increase when it hits the Yasawas and Viti Levu.

Residents throughout Fiji need to listen to Government warnings and rush cyclone preparation activities to a finish today in line with a Category 1-2 strength Cyclone on the Saffir Simpson Scale.

Resident and authorities in Tonga should closely watch this system as it works its way through the Lau Group. Although not threatened at this time, residents and authorities in Vanuatu, should continue to keep a close eye on this system in case of any unpredicted, rapid shifts in course.

ALERTS AND WARNINGS

FIJI

TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING FOR THE NORTHWEST OF THE FIJI GROUP.
TROPICAL CYCLONE ALERT FOR THE REST OF FIJI.
A STRONG WIND WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR ROTUMA.

TONGA

A STRONG WIND WARNING IS NOW IN FORCE FOR VAVAU,HAAPAI, TONGATAPU
AND EUA COASTAL WATERS.

______________________

From the RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre

Special Weather Bulletin Number SEVEN FOR FIJI AND ROTUMA ON TROPICAL CYCLONE DAMAN ISSUED FROM RSMC NADI at 10:33am on Thursday the 6th of December 2007

TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING FOR THE NORTHWEST OF THE FIJI GROUP.
TROPICAL CYCLONE ALERT FOR THE REST OF FIJI.

TROPICAL CYCLONE DAMAN CENTRE [CAT 2] WAS LOCATED NEAR 14 DECIMAL 1 SOUTH 176 DECIMAL 0 EAST OR ABOUT 115 KILOMETRES TO THE SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF ROTUMA AND 430 KILOMETRES NORTH NORTHWEST OF NADI AT 9AM TODAY. THE CYCLONE IS MOVING SOUTH AT AROUND 10 KM/HR AWAY FROM ROTUMA.

FOR THE NORTHWEST OF THE FIJI GROUP, EXPECT WINDS TO INCREASE TO 35 TO 55 KM/HR FROM THIS EVENING AND INCREASING TO 80 TO 100 KM/HR FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

FOR THE REST OF FIJI, EXPECT WINDS TO STRENGTHEN OVERNIGHT AND FURTHER INCREASING TOMORROW.

FOR THE WHOLE COUNTRY, EXPECT WIDESPREAD RAIN BECOMING FREQUENT WITH HEAVY FALLS AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS. FLOODING OF LOW-LYING AREAS AND SEA FLOODING OF LOW-LYING COASTAL AREAS EXPECTED ON FRIDAY.

A STRONG WIND WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR ROTUMA. OVER ROTUMA EXPECT NORTHWEST WINDS 35 TO 50 KM/HR AND GUSTS TO 65 KM/HR EASING TO FRESH THIS AFTERNOON. RAIN GRADUALLY EASING.

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED ESPECIALLY FOR THE MARINERS: DESTRUCTIVE STORM FORCE WINDS WITHIN 40 NAUTICAL MILES OF CENTRE. VERY HIGH SEAS. DAMAGING GALE FORCE WINDS WITHIN 90 MILES OF CENTRE IN THE SOUTHEAST SEMI-CIRCLE AND 70 NAUTICAL MILES OF CENTRE IN THE NORTHWEST SEMI-CIRCLE. VERY ROUGH TO HIGH SEAS. DAMAGING HEAVY SWELLS.

The next Special Weather Bulletin for Fiji and Rotuma will be issued around 2pm today.

___________________________________________________________
APCEDI will continue to monitor the progress of this system.

Kevin Vang
APCEDI Coordinator
http://www.afap.org/apcedi/

To donate to AFAP's Disaster Preparedness, Relief and Rehabilitation Programs in Asia and the Pacific, go to http://www.afap.org and click on the "Donate On-Line" icon in the top right-hand corner.

To sign up for AFAP's free APCEDI email service, please go to http://www.afap.org/apcedi/ and register your email address.

APCEDI Alert SP/FJ 05P Daman #2-2008: Cyclone Daman passes over Rotuma, Threatens Fiji

The RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre, the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre continue to issue guidance on Cyclone Daman that formed near Rotuma, Fiji Wednesday afternoon.

The centre of Cyclone Daman is located near Rotuma. Rotuma is currently experiencing damaging gale force conditions. Although given the current strength of Cyclone Daman and fast speed, damage should be minor to possible locally moderate in isolated, exposed areas, with the greatest effect to crops and weak shelters made of bush materials. Lots of limbs will be down and some small trees.

Daman is moving to the west-southwest at 20 km/hr, and will now start to move away from Rotuma to the southwest. Most models show Daman recurving to the southeast tomorrow and taking a resultant track late tomorrow and Friday over the main Fiji Islands of Vanua Levu and Viti Levu, although it is to early to predict the exact track. All of Fiji has therefore been placed under a Cyclone Alert.

Cyclone Daman is currently at Tropical Storm strength on the Saffir Simpson Scale. It is forecast to slightly increase to a possible Category 1 strength on the Saffir Simpson Scale tomorrow.

Rotuma residents need to listen to Government warnings and continue to take action in line with a Category 1 strength Cyclone on the Saffir Simpson Scale. Residents of the remainder of Fiji need to listen to Government warnings and continue to take immediate action as required in line with a Category 1-2 strength Cyclone on the Saffir Simpson Scale. All preparatory activities should be rushed to completion as directed by early tomorrow afternoon.

Although not threatened at this time, residents and authorities in Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Tonga, should keep a close eye on this system in case of any unpredicted, rapid shifts in course.

ALERTS AND WARNINGS

FIJI

A TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR ROTUMA.
A TROPICAL CYCLONE ALERT IS IN FORCE FOR FIJI.

______________________

From the RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre

Special Weather Bulletin Number FOUR FOR FIJI AND ROTUMA ON TROPICAL CYCLONE DAMAN ISSUED FROM RSMC NADI at 10:39pm on Wednesday the 5th of December 2007

TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING

A TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING REMAINS IN FORCE FOR ROTUMA.
A TROPICAL CYCLONE ALERT IS IN FORCE FOR FIJI.

TROPICAL CYCLONE DAMAN CENTRE WAS LOCATED NEAR 12 DECIMAL 5 SOUTH 176 DECIMAL 7 EAST OR ABOUT 40 KILOMETRES TO THE WEST OF ROTUMA AT 10PM TONIGHT. THE CYCLONE IS MOVING WEST-SOUTHWEST AT AROUND 20 KM/HR FURTHER AWAY FROM ROTUMA.

OVER ROTUMA EXPECT DAMAGING GALE FORCE WINDS WITH AVERAGE SPEEDS OF 65 KM/HR AND MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 90 KM/HR GRADUALLY EASING. FREQUENT HEAVY RAIN AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS. SEA FLOODING OF LOW-LYING COASTAL AREAS EXPECTED.

FOR FIJI EXPECT WINDS TO STRENGTHEN OVER THE NORTHERN AND WESTERN AREAS LATER TOMORROW AND POSSIBLY REACH DAMAGING GALE FORCE ON FRIDAY. RAIN BECOMING MORE WIDESPREAD AND FREQUENT WITH HEAVY FALLS AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS. FLOODING OF LOW-LYING AREAS. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED ESPECIALLY FOR THE MARINERS:
DAMAGING GALE FORCE WINDS WITHIN 90 MILES OF CENTRE . VERY ROUGH TO HIGH SEAS. WINDS EXPECTED TO INCREASE TO DESTRUCTIVE STORM FORCE IN THE NEXT 6 TO 12 HOURS WITH VERY HIGH SEAS. DAMAGING HEAVY SWELLS.

The next Special Weather Bulletin for Fiji and Rotuma will be issued around 02.00am tomorrow morning.

___________________________________________________________
APCEDI will continue to monitor the progress of this system.

Kevin Vang
APCEDI Coordinator
http://www.afap.org/apcedi/

To donate to AFAP's Disaster Preparedness, Relief and Rehabilitation Programs in Asia and the Pacific, go to http://www.afap.org and click on the "Donate On-Line" icon in the top right-hand corner.

To sign up for AFAP's free APCEDI email service, please go to http://www.afap.org/apcedi/ and register your email address.

APCEDI Alert SP/FJ 05P Daman #1-2007: Cyclone Daman forms near Rotuma, Fiji

The RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre, the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre have begun issuing guidance on Cyclone Daman that formed near Rotuma, Fiji Wednesday afternoon.

The centre of Cyclone Daman is located 85 kilometres east-north-east of Rotuma. Daman is moving to the west at 20 km/hr, and will pass near or over Rotuma in the next 12-18 hours. Cyclone Daman is currently at Tropical Storm strength on the Saffir Simpson Scale. It is forecast to slightly increase to a possible Category 1 strength on the Saffir Simpson Scale as it passes by Rotuma.

Rotuma residents need to listen to Government warnings and take immediate action in line with a Category 1 strength Cyclone on the Saffir Simpson Scale

ALERTS AND WARNINGS

FIJI
A TROPICAL CYCLONE GALE WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR ROTUMA AND SURROUNDING ISLETS.

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From the RSMC-Nadi Tropical Cyclone Centre

Special Weather Bulletin Number ONE FOR ROTUMA ON TROPICAL CYCLONE
DAMAN ISSUED FROM RSMC NADI
at 2:37pm on Wednesday the 5th of December 2007
TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING

A GALE WARNING IS IN FORCE FOR ROTUMA.

TROPICAL CYCLONE DAMAN CENTRE WAS LOCATED NEAR 12 DECIMAL 1 DEGREES SOUTH 177 DECIMAL 7 DEGREES EAST OR ABOUT 85 KILOMETRES EAST-NORTHEAST OF ROTUMA AT 2PM TODAY. CLOSE TO ITS CENTRE THE CYCLONE IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE AVERAGE WINDS UP TO 65 TO 75 KM/HR WITH MOMENTARY GUSTS OF 100 KM/HR. WINDS MAY INCREASE FURTHER AS THE CYCLONE INTENSIFIES.

THE CYCLONE IS MOVING TOWARDS THE WEST AT AROUND 20 KM/HR. ON THIS TRACK THE CYCLONE IS EXPECTED TO PASS CLOSE TO OR OVER ROTUMA WITHIN THE NEXT 12 TO 18 HOURS.

EXPECT WINDS OVER ROTUMA TO INCREASE TO DAMAGING GALE FORCE WITH AVERAGE SPEEDS TO 65 TO 75 KM/HR AND MOMENTARY GUSTS TO 100 KM/HR TONIGHT. FREQUENT HEAVY RAIN AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS. SEA FLOODING OF LOW-LYING COASTAL AREAS EXPECTED. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED ESPECIALLY FOR THE MARINERS: EXPECT DAMAGING GALE FORCE WINDS WITHIN 90 MILES OF CENTRE. VERY ROUGH TO HIGH SEAS. DAMAGING HEAVY SWELLS.

The next Special Weather Bulletin for Rotuma will be issued around 5.30pm today.

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APCEDI will continue to monitor the progress of this system.

Kevin Vang
APCEDI Coordinator
http://www.afap.org/apcedi/

To donate to AFAP's Disaster Preparedness, Relief and Rehabilitation Programs in Asia and the Pacific, go to http://www.afap.org and click on the "Donate On-Line" icon in the top right-hand corner.

To sign up for AFAP's free APCEDI email service, please go to http://www.afap.org/apcedi/ and register your email address.